The Hillsboro Parks and Recreation Commission on Tuesday approved a ban on electronic cigarettes in city parks, clearing the way for the city council to consider a first reading of the ordinance next Tuesday.

The city previously banned the use of all tobacco products on park property in 2009. In a staff report, Hillsboro officials called the vapor released by e-cigarettes "potentially harmful" and said "the use of e-cigarettes is commonly mistaken by observers to be traditional smoking."

"This presents challenges and confusion for both staff and patrons at events on park property when trying to enforce our tobacco prohibition," the report continued. "Spectators at events can mistake the e-cigarettes for traditional cigarettes and assume that it is allowable for them to start smoking, and it is sometimes difficult for staff to ascertain which type of cigarette someone is using from a distance and whether or not they need to take action."

Earlier this week, the Forest Grove City Council also approved a ban on e-cigarettes that extended to city-owned property and city-sponsored events in addition to parks.